Carton



Sept, 6, 1966 P. E. COPE ETAL 3,270,942

CARTON Filed June 14, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Paul E. Cope and Charles R. Specter ATTORNEY p 1966 P. E. COPE ETAL. 3,270,942

CARTON Filed June 14, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Paul E. Cope and Charles R. Specter ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,270,942 CARTON Paul E. Cope and Charles R. Specter, Cincinnati, Ohio,

assignors to The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed June 14, 1965, Ser. No. 467,185 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) This is a continuation-in-part of application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 357,031, filed April 3, 1964, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a seal-end carton and more particularly, to a seal-end carton having a top closure opening device thereon.

An object of this invention is to provide a carton having an end closure which may be economically manufactured which securely seals the carton for handling, shipment and storage and yet is easily opened to provide un obstructed access to the package contents and provides means to reclose the carton between uses.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of this invention a seal-end carton in the form of a sleeve of rectangular cross-section and having alternating side, back and front panels is provided with an easy opening top closure. This closure comprises overlapping closure flaps, the lowermost of which has a length and width substantially the same as the cross-section of the sleeve and also has integrally connected to one end thereof an outwardly extending tab. A fold line intervenes the tab and the lowermost closure flap and the tab is configured so that the region thereof which is at least about one-quarter inch in length and adjacent to the aforementioned fold line is of approximately the same width as the lowermost closure flap and is thereafter progressively reduced in width as the free end of the tab is approached. A line of spaced perforations extends from the proximal end of the fold line and proceeds obliquely in an outwardly and generally lengthwise direction along the lowermost closure flap. The inner surface of the tab in the region adjacent the fold line is adhesively attached to the exterior surface of one of the side panels so that the distal end of the tab is free from attachment and may be readily grasped in use.

Although the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the outer surface of the carton blank as cut and scored prior to folding;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the dorsal side of the blank of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the top closure of the carton of FIGURE 1 in the process of being sealed;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3 following completion of the sealing operation; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the erected and sealed carton of FIGURE 1 following the opening of the top closure thereof.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown a carton blank which is printed, cut and scored so as to result in a carton of the correct size and configuration. The blank 10 consists of back panel 11, front panel 12, left side panel 13, right side panel 14, glue flap 15, left side flaps 16 and 17, right side flap 18, back closure flaps 19 and 20 and front closure flaps 21 and 22. Parallel longitudinal score lines 23 and 24 separate the panel sections 11 through 14 from the flap portions 16 through 22. Transverse parallel score lines 25, 26, 27 and 28 separate 3,279,942 Patented Sept. 6, 1966 the various panels and glue flap, and with the longitudinal score lines 23 and 24 define the perimeter of such panels. In order to form a sleeve of rectangular cross-section the distance between score 26 and 27 and that between score 28 and the edge 10' of the blank are substantially identical and the distance between scores 25 and 26 is approximately equal to that between scores 27 and 28 less the thickness of the blank. Also in this connection, the width of the back closure flaps 19 and 20 are each substantially equal to the distance between scores 27 and 28.

Cuts 29, 30 and 31 free the various side flaps from the cars 32, 33 and 34 respectively, each of which is integrally connected to one of the ends of a back closure flap.

It will be noted that there is no side flap articulated from the top of the right side panel. Instead, the top of the panel is merely defined by a die-cut free edge 35 which is directly aligned with the discontinuous score line 23. Approximately centered along the edge 35 is a finger notch 36, the size of which is not critical although it is desirable to restrict it to a minimum consistent with its operational utility mentioned hereinafter and preferably A" or less in depth. In this regard, an are having a radius extending /4" into the carton edge has been found satisfactory, as would be the A" deep oblong cut-out shown in the drawings.

Several split scores 37 are provided on the right side panel in the upper outer portion thereof surrounding the finger notch 36 and adjacent, i.e., immediately below, the edge 35. A split score is a score along which a out has been made approximately one-half the way through the board thickness. In the embodiment shown the split scores extend transversely, but other patterns can also be used. For example, the split scores can be V-shaped and spaced about Ms" apart at the points thereof, the legs of the V extending to opposite ends of edge 35 so that the ends of corresponding legs meet at a top corner of panel 14. Alternatively, the split scores can be arcuate, i.e., convex downwardly, with corresponding ends converging in a top corner of panel 14 or, if desired, similarly arcuate and approximately concentric, spaced by about with the center of curvature at or above the midpoint of notch 36 along edge 35. The purpose of the split scored area is to promote preferential tearing loose of the outer surface fibers of the right side panel in this area rather than separation of the inner surface layer of the tab which is adapted to be adhesively connected to the side panel, as will be more fully understood from the following description. The lower end of the split scored area should be at least about 4;" below' the lower side of the finger notch 36. Below this area the right side panel is provided with means to prevent penetration of glue and, consequently, firm adhesive attachment thereto. Such means is well known in the art and may comprise printing with certain inks, suitable varnishes or the like.

Extending outwardly from the back closure flap 19 and projecting over the right side panel 14 is a tab 38. This tab is integrally connected to the back closure flap 19 along the portion 27' of the score line 27. Another score line 39 extends across the tab 38, parallel to the score or fold line 27' and spaced therefrom a distance approximately equal to the depth of the split scored area of the right side panel 14. Intermediate the score lines 27 and 39 the tab 38 has approximately the same Width as that of the back closure flap 19. In order to assure a siftproof closure when utilizing commercial sealing equipment, it is essential that the full width region of tab 38 have a length of at least about A" in connection with cartons formed of carton board having a thickness in the range of from about 15 to about 35 mils. This aspect will be better understood from subsequent description. In a preferred embodiment, a /2" length of such region has been utilized and found to be effective in achieving a siftproof seal. Where a finger notch 36 is used, the length of the full width region of tab 38 should also exceed the notch depth by at least about Ma". The balance of the tab is progressively reduced in width as the free end thereof is approached, providing lead-in surfaces to facilitate a tucking reclosure operation subsequent to the initial opening of the closure.

Cut-outs 40 and 41 are made in the distal or free edges of the back closure flaps 19 and 20. As is well known in the art, the purpose of these cut-outs is to facilitate machine opening of flattened sleeves constructed from the blank shown.

A score line 42 extends across the width of the back closure flap 19 along a line spaced from the score line 27' by a distance approximately one-third of the length of that flap. Similarly spaced from the end 28 of front closure flap 21 is a transverse score line 43.

A line of weakening '44 extends from the proximal end of the score 27' (the proximal end being indicated by the letter A) for a short distance along the score line 27' and thence outwardly and generally lengthwise along the back closure fiap 19, terminating at an intersection with the score line 42. For high speed folding on existing cartoning equipment, it has been found necessary that the line of weakening 44 'be slanted with respect to the score 23 to avoid the tendency of the fiap 19 to fold along the line of weakening rather than along the score. It is preferable for the same reason that the point of departure of the line of weakening from the score line 27 be spaced slightly from the proximal end thereof, although this is not so critical as the requirement to maintain the skewed relationship described. This line of weakening may, for example, comprise spaced perforations which extends along the score line 27 for approximately one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch and extend obliquely at an angle B of about 55 to 80 with the score line 27'. There is an additional advantage to spacing the line of. weakening 44 from the proximal end of score 27' since such an arrangement, as will be understood from subsequent description, presents a 4;" to edge which (following the initial opening of the package) bears outwardly against tab 38 in reclosure so as to effect tight engagement of the tucked tab 38 against the inner surface of right side panel 14.

The scores 27 and 42, the line of perforations 44 and the free edge of the back closure flap 19 define the limits of a hinged section 46 adapted to be raised from the plane of the balance of the back closure flap 19 following tearing along the line of perforations 44.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the reverse side of the blank 10 has a cut or split score line 45 impressed therein contiguous to and substantially parallel with the score 27 and extending full Width across the interior surface of the back closure fiap 19. While the line is shown as being spaced from the score 27', it is feasible, from the standpoint of assembly and function of the carton, to have the split aligned directly with the said score line. This is the broad meaning intended by the use of the words contiguous to and substantially parallel with. The function of the cut score 45 is to prevent the possible formation of an onionskin across the dispensing opening by ply separation of the lower fibers of the tab 38 following dissociation thereof from the side panel to which it is adhesively attached. In other words, if separation of the lower surface layer of the tab 38 should occur as the carton is opened (instead of the preferential tearing loose of the outer fibers of the right side panel as sought by the use of the split score area thereof) such would terminate at the cut score 45 and this would prevent the formation of a continuous strip of the sepa rated web across the opening.

If desired, for easy opening a portion of score line 23 can be cut on the reverse side of the blank to facilitate tearing along the score. Such a cut extends less than halfway through the board and lies intermediate score line 43 and end 28' of front closure flap 21.

After the blank has been printed, cut and scored as described above, it is folded and glued in the form of a flat sleeve. In this connection glue flap 15, left side panel 13 and the attached left side fiaps '16 and 17 are folded rearwardly 180 along the score line 26. An adhesive is applied either along the inner edge of the side panel 12 or to the outer surface of glue flap 15,as shown in FIGURE 1. Next, front panel 12 and the attached front closure flaps 21 and 22 are folded rearwardly 180 along the score line 28. Due to the panel width relationships previously mentioned, this last step places the inner surface of the front panel 12 directly over the outer surface of the glue flap 15. Thereafter, upon pressing these contacting surfaces together they become adhesively united.

The carton may be formed from the glued sleeve, filled and sealed in substantially the same manner as commonly done in connection with many other seal-end cartons. The sleeve is first erected or squared, the lower side flaps 17 and 18 are folded inwardly, adhesive is applied to the inner surface of back closure flap 20 and its attached ears and also to that of front closure flap 22, the back closure flap 20 is folded inwardly over the fiaps 17 and 18, and the front closure fiap 22 folded inwardly to partially complete the bottom seal. Following this, the carton is filled with the product to be packaged therein, the inner surfaces of back closure flap 19, including ear 32 and tab 38, and of front closure flap 21 are coated with adhesive, and a top seal is effected in a manner analogous to that outlined above in connection with the bottom seal, the only difference being that there is no upper right hand side flap. FIGURE 3 illustrates the condition of the top closure of the carton in the process of forming the top seal. Next, the ears 32, 33 and 34 are folded and secured to the adjacent side pane-ls and the tab 38 folded downwardly and secured to the'right side panel 14 in the cutscored area thereof.

In the securing operation pressure is exerted inwardly on the tab and ears by oppositely disposed means which may comprise either stationary rails or belts traveling at the same speed as the carton in the sealer, forcing the ears and tab into intimate contact with the adjacent side panels for a brief period of time. It is at this point that the necessity of having a region of tab 38 adjacent score 27 which is full width and has a length of at least about A" becomes manifest. This structure requires that a minimum of A" of the tab 38 at each side thereof will be backed by the corner scores 27 and 28 in the compression or securing operation, obviating the possibility of the central portion of the tab and right side panel 14 deflecting or bowing inwardly to thereby preventthe intimate contact necessary for a siftproof seal. Although the cars 32, 33 and 34 do not have such a full width region, these are each backed by a folded score intervening the adjacent side panel and a side flap extending therefrom. Moreover, the side flaps become sealed in a siftproof manner to the underside of the back closure flaps 19 and 20 and consequently the effectiveness of the sealing of cars 32, 33 and 34 becomes relatively unimportant.

As shown in FIGURE 4, following sealing of the top closure, the back closure flap is the lowermost of the overlapping closure flaps, underlying and adhesively attached to the front closure flap 21 with the score lines 43 and 42 vertically aligned. The overlapping and adhesive attachment of the closure flaps occurs only in areas directly overlying the end of the sleeve and therefore the car 32 and tab 38 are uncovered and with the sidewalls to which they are connected form a two-play structure. As indicated above, left side flap 16 is glued to the underside of closure flap 19 and the ear 32 secured to the left side panel 13,-resulting in a pair of tight, siftproof corners. The tab 38 is securely glued to the cut-scored area of right side panel 14 with the score 27' juxtaposed cut edge 35,

but the distal end thereof is free from such attachment. While this could be accomplished through patterned gluing, in the preferred embodiment the adhesive is prevented from penetrating and firmly adhering to the surface of the right side panel below the cut-scored area by reason of the varnish, etc. previously described. Although no side flap is fastened to the closure flap 19 adjacent the tab 38, the Mt long, full width upper adhered portion of the tab 38 itself results in a substantially siftproof seal in the other corners of the top closure.

In order to use the opening device of the subject carton, the unattached distal end of the tab 38 is grasped and pulled upwardly, tearing the entire tab free from its attachment to the split or cut scored area of the right side panel 14, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, preferably by rupturing the surface fibers within that area, If by chance ply separation of the inner fibers of the tab 38 occurs, such will be terminated and the onionskin effect eliminated by means of the cut score 45, as indicated above. When using the arcuate or V-shaped split score arrangements described above and means such as printing inks to prevent glue penetration therebelow, it will be seen that the central lower portion of the split scored area will extend into the printed part of panel 14, presenting a narrow, transverse area along which tearing loose of the surface ply of panel 14 may start. Once started the tearing will continue expanding outwardly with the split scores until the width of the surface ply being torn loose matches that of the tab 38. This arrangement is particularly effective in prompting the preferential tearing desired.

As the consumer continues to lift the tab 38, the distal edge 19' of the back closure flap 19 aids in causing the front closure flap 21 to be torn loose of its attachment to front panel 12 along the score line 23 intermediate the end 28 and the score 43. Simultaneously, this action causes separation of the hinged portion 46 of the back closure flap 19 from the balance of the flap along the line of weakening 44 and tearing the flap 21 free from adhesive attachment to flap 19 in the area bounded by line of weakening 44 and score lines 42 and 23. The resulting opening is illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Following the above Operation the contents of the package are accessible through the opening 47 and may be removed therethrough for use. Following each dispensing operation the tab 38 may be tucked within the carton in a position parallel and contiguous to the inner surface of right side panel 14, the lead-in surface mentioned previously aiding to properly guide the tab into position intermediate the panel 14 and the to long edge of flap 19 which lies along score 27' between line of weakness 44 and score 23. For reuse, the finger notch 36 permits the consumer to obtain sufficient purchase on the tucked-in tab 38 to aid in reopening the package.

Thus it will be seen that the device of this invention provides an attractive package well adapted to high speed cartoning operations and which is easily opened initially and reclosed as desired. It presents to the consumer a means to obtain access which is easily understood and substantially foolproof in operation. Due to the fact that the width of the upper portion of the tab 38 is substantially the same as that of the back closure flap 19 a leak-proof seal is etfected in the preliminary sealing operation described above and a substantially tight reclosure obtained by merely retucking following the opening of the package.

Many modifications of the above invention may be used and it is not intended to hereby limit it to the particular embodiment described. The terms used in describing the invention are used in their descriptive sense and not as terms of limitation it being intended that all equivalents thereof be included in the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A seal-end carton in the form of a sleeve of rectangular cross-section and having alternating side, front and back panels, said carton having a siftproof end closure comprising adhesively attached overlapping closure flaps articulated from said front and back panels along integral score lines, said overlapping and attachment of said closure flaps to one another occurring only in areas directly overlying the end of said sleeve, the lowermost closure flap having a length and width substantially the same as the cross-section of the sleeve and having integrally connected to one end thereof an outwardly extending tab, a fold line intervening said tab and said lowermost closure flap, the region of said tab within at least about one-quarter inch of said fold line having approximately the same width as .said lowermost closure flap and the balance of said tab being reduced in width as the free end thereof is approached, the inner surface of said tab in said region being adhesively attached directly to a full width area of the exterior surface of one of said side panels with the distal end of said tab free from attachment whereby it may be readily grasped in use, said one side panel terminating in 1a die-cut free edge coplanar with the score lines of said closure flaps, said full width area of the exterior surface being immediately adjacent said die-cut free edge, the entire said tab being adapted to be torn free from said one side panel whereby access to the carton interior is gained.

2. A sift-proof carton of rectangular cross-section, said carton comprising alternating face and side panels and provided with an easily opened reclosable end closure, said end closure comprising overlapping closure flaps, the lowermost closure flap having a length and width substantially the same as the carton cross-section and having integrally connected to one end thereof an outwardly extending tab, a fold line intervening said tab and said lowermost closure flap, the region of said tab within at least about one-quarter inch of said fold line having approximately the same width as said lowermost closure flap and the balance of said tab being progressively reduced in width as the free end is approached, a line of spaced perforations extending from the proximal end of said fold line and proceeding for a short distance along said fold line from the proximal end thereof to a point intermediate the distal and proximal ends and thence obliquely in an outwardly and generally lengthwise direction along said lowermost closure flap, the inner surface of said tab in said region being adhesively attached directly to a full width area of the exterior surface of one of said side panels, said one of said side panels terminating in a die-cut free edge juxtaposed said score line, said full width area being immediately adjacent said die-cut free edge.

3. The carton of claim 2 in which said point lies between about one-eighth and three-eighths of an inch from said proximal end.

4. The carton of claim 3 in which the oblique portion of said line of spaced perforations lies at an angle of between about 55 to about with respect to said fold line.

5. The carton of claim 2 in which said one of said sidewalls is provided with means to prevent ply separation of a continuous strip of the inside surface of the carton material forming said tabs when the closure is opened.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Graybill 22917 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. SEAL-END CARTON IN THE FORM OF A SLEEVE OF RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION AND HAVING ALTERNATING SIDE, FRONT AND BACK PANELS, SAID CARTON HAVING A SIFTPROOF END CLOSURE COMPRISING ADHESIVELY ATTACHED OVERLAPPING CLOSURE FLAPS ARTICULATED FROM SAID FRONT AND BACK PANELS ALONG INTEGRAL SCORE LINES, SAID OVERLAPPING AND ATTACHMENT OF SAID CLOSURE FLAPS TO ONE ANOTHER OCCURRING ONLY IN AREAS DIRECTLY OVERLYING THE END OF SAID SLEEVE, THE LOWERMOST CLOSURE FLAP HAVING A LENGTH AND WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THE CROSS-SECTION OF THE SLEEVE AND HAVING INTEGRALLY CONNECTED TO ONE END THEREOF AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING TAB, A FOLD LINE INTERVENTING SAID TAB AND SAID LOWERMOST CLOSURE FLAP, THE REGION OF SAID TAB WITHIN AT LEAST ABOUT ONE-QUARTER INCH OF SAID FOLD LINE HAVING APPROXIMATELY THE SAME WIDTH AS SAID LOWERMOST CLOSURE FLAP AND THE BALANCE OF SAID TAB BEING REDUCED IN WIDTH AS THE FREE END THEREOF IS APPROACHED, THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID TAB IN SAID REGION BEING ADHESIVELY ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO A FULL WIDTH AREA OF THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF ONE OF SAID SIDE PANELS WITH THE DISTAL END OF SAID TAB FREE FROM ATTACHMENT WHEREBY IT MAY BE READILY GRASPED IN USE, SAID ONE SIDE PANEL TERMINATING IN A DIE-CUT FREE EDGE COPLANAR WITH THE SCORE LINES OF SAID CLOSURE FLAPS, SAID FULL WIDTH AREA OF THE EXTERIOR SURFACE BEING IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID DIE-CUT FREE EDGE, THE ENTIRE SAID TAB BEING ADAPTED TO BE TORN FREE FROM SAID ONE SIDE PANEL WHEREBY ACCESS TO THE CERTAIN INTERIOR IS GAINED. 